NAACP criticizes NC House vote on voter ID bill, releases statement

Press release

From the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP):

(WASHINGTON)— The NAACP released the following statements in response to the NC House Vote on House Bill 589. The bill was passed 81-36 and will move to the Senate.

Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP:

“Today the North Carolina legislature put partisan politics over democracy,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “The strict voter ID bill that passed the House today will disenfranchise thousands of voters, including some of North Carolina’s most vulnerable communities. We will continue to support the North Carolina NAACP and their allies as they oppose this bill in the state Senate.”

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, President of the NAACP North Carolina State Conference:

“To be fraudulent in the claim of voter fraud and distort truth in order to pass laws to make it harder for people to vote is unthinkable in a modern democracy,” stated Rev. Dr. William J. Barber. “To pass a modern day poll tax disguised as voter photo ID is to engage in modern-day interposition and nullification blocking freedom and constitutional rights and progress. It is as if they are trying to be the George Wallaces of the 21st century in a shameful display of the arrogance of power.”

Jotaka Eaddy, Senior Director, NAACP Voting Rights Initiative:

“The House vote today is a democratic failure for North Carolina,” stated Jotaka Eaddy. “One vote not counted on Election Day any place in America is a loss for democracy. State legislatures throughout the country should be working to expand the opportunity for eligible citizens to vote. The NAACP State Conferences will continue to work with state legislatures on combating bills that truly threaten election integrity and limit access to the ballot.”

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our five “Game Changer” issue areas here.